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| "What me worry?" |
If Tour de France history has taught us anything, it seems there is a rule that anyone can train to race the Tour de France however it takes passion to win it. Look at Lance Armstrong back in 1995. A virtual unknown then, Lance went on to win stage 18 of the 1995 Tour de France following the death of fellow teammate Fabio Casartelli. Who could forget the image of Lance pointing skyward as he won the stage in tribute to his fallen teammate? Would Lance have won had he not battled cancer? I don't think so. I thought Andy Schleck was the odds-on favorite to win this year but I'm not sure the doe-eye Luxemburger he has the drive. Alberto Contador on the other hand is clearly a man on a mission.
The three-time Tour de France winner defended his lead in the final stage to clinch the Tour of Catalunya in Barcelona on Sunday. Not surprisingly, his win came after the International Cycling Union (UCI) said on Thursday that it would challenge Contador's domestic acquittal on doping charges. Italy's Michele Scarponi finished 23 seconds behind the Spaniard with Ireland's Dan Martin in third. "I haven't raced here to make any response to anybody," said Contador. Bullshit. The man is clearly on a mission to win the Tour de France.
Spyns former clients may recall that I am no fan of Contador but I have a new found respect for the man. Lance was such a saint in the twilight of his career that it inevitably led to negative feelings about the Spanish rider. Who could love the man who destroyed the myth of Lance's invincibility? But the man can ride. The result was Contador's second successive title, after the Vuelta de Murcia, since winning his appeal to the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation against a provisional one-year doping ban in February. Contador laid the foundations of victory in a powerful performance on the mountain stage in Andorra on Wednesday and he comfortably contained Scarponi's challenge as the field headed into the centre of Barcelona. And now he's looking towards Italy. Said Contador, "This was one of the hardest week-long races I've ever done. I've done others with more mountains in them that were far easier. This has been a very good way of sharpening my form for the Tour of Italy."
Enter the authorities. Contador's participation for the rest of the season is still in doubt after the UCI announced that it would take his case to the the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Cycling's governing body doubts Contador's claim he ate contaminated beef with clenbuterol resulted in a postive test during the 2010 Tour de France. CAS is set to rule on his case before the start of this year's Tour de France on 2 July. If his ban is reinstated, Contador, 28, could pursue his case through the Swiss civil courts. Something tells me the feisty Spaniard won't be giving up without a fight.
As we diligently prepare for Spyns 2011 Tour de France tours, I can't help but think of the sport has become a victim of its own success. Were there not such a money-driven drive for better ratings, stronger riders, and faster races, perhaps there wouldn’t be so much doping. Contador is a victim of his own success. It would be very difficult if not altogether impossible for someone to perform at his level "naturally". Clearly the man has the talent, given his numerous wins, but now he's become the poster boy for the anti-doping lobby. I for one hope that he will compete in the 2011 Tour de France simply because he's a great athlete.
Spyns is an active travel company based in Whister, BC (Canada) and Beaujolais France. Spyns specializes in 2011 Tour de France packages for both riders and non-riders. We specialize in providing clients with Tour de France bike and non-biking packages with Paris grandstand seats and VIP access. Spyns offers active holidays to Europe including trips to the 2011 Tour de France. For more information about Spyns 2011 Tour de France tours, please go to http://www.tdf-tours.com/ or http://www.spyns.com/. You can also call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720.
